Alaska Conservation Annual Report Fiscal Year 2012
From the Executive Director It s the great, big, broad land way up yonder. It s the forests where silence has lease; It s the beauty that thrills me with wonder; It s the stillness that fills me with peace. Robert Service Spell of the Yukon (1907) More than a hundred years ago, Robert Service captured in his poetry what defines Alaska and Alaskans. Our ways of life, the spiritual inspiration that nourishes us and our cultures, and the things we treasure about Alaska are tied to the land. The Alaska Conservation exists to protect Alaska s natural environment and the diverse cultures and ways of life it sustains. We do this by promoting conservation philanthropy and by strategically directing resources to conservation leaders, organizations, and initiatives. The organizations and individuals we support through our grantmaking, our internship program, our community capacity initiative, and our annual conservation achievement awards are working for the Alaska that sustains us all. They are finding balance in strong economies, cultures, communities, and a healthy environment. They care deeply about Alaska and Alaskans, and have demonstrated their commitment to finding solutions to some of our toughest environmental challenges through activism and collaboration. People are at the heart of conservation efforts in Alaska. This includes our many generous supporters from Alaska and around the country who make it possible to carry out this important work. We all have an obligation to protect this great land that sustains us so that it will also provide for those that follow us. We hope you will take inspiration from the work of those we have supported this year to do just that. Thank you again for your commitment to Alaska. Sincerely, Ann Rothe 2
Mission Statement President Jimmy Carter Honorary Chair Nancy Lord Chair Board of Trustees Jim DeWitt AJ Grant Carol Kasza The Alaska Conservation protects Alaska s natural environment and the diverse cultures and ways of life it sustains. We do this by promoting conservation philanthropy and by strategically directing resources to conservation leaders, organizations, and initiatives. Ruth Wood Secretary & Vice Chair, Alaska David Hardenbergh Treasurer Marcia I. Lamb National Vice Chair Cliff Eames At Large James Liszka At Large Kerry K. Anderson Rhonda Bennon Bill Leighty Helen Nienhueser Faon O Connor David Robertson Dorene Schiro Marilyn Sigman Leonard Steinberg Anne M. Wilkas Verner Stor Wilson III Staff Jeff Aldrich - Administrative Assistant Polly Carr - Program Officer Leah M. Doney-Neel - Philanthropy and Communications Associate Nora Gecan - Communications Assistant Heather Handyside - Program Director Scott Hed - Director, Sportsman s Alliance for Alaska Jacqueline Lee - Operations Manager Brian McNitt - Program Officer Jordan O Connell - Grants Administrator Jennifer Pollard - Director of Philanthropy & Communications Matt Rafferty - Program Officer Meredyth Richards - Donor Relations Manager Ann L. Rothe - Executive Director Sam Snyder - Director, Bristol Bay Fisheries and Watershed Protection Campaign Cynthia Tisher - Director of Finance Danielle Williams - Annual and Corporate Gifts Officer For a current list of Trustees and staff please visit www.alaskaconservation.org. 4
Creating healthy environments, economies, communities, and people. Our Impact As the only public foundation dedicated to conservation in Alaska, ACF provides strategic and financial support to a community of nonprofits whose efforts align with ACF s goals of encouraging broadbased support for, and innovative solutions to, our most pressing conservation and environmental justice issues in pursuit of a healthy environment, healthy communities, and sustainable economies. To follow are program highlights from fiscal year 2012. Saving Bristol Bay Wild Salmon In Bristol Bay, a massive proposed open-pit gold and copper mine threatens one of the largest wild salmon runs left on Earth. ACF is fiscal sponsor of the Bristol Bay Fisheries & Watershed Protection Campaign--a diverse coalition working to safeguard this unparalleled watershed, and support the local residents in their efforts to determine their own future, based on a strong and sustainable economy of fishing, tourism, and subsistence. In fiscal year 2012, ACF awarded $110,500 in grants. 6 Mitigating Climate Change Over five trillion tons of coal resources lie under Alaska s wild lands, and a dozen coal-related projects have been proposed to access and export it to foreign markets. The Alaskans for Energy Freedom Campaign - a coalition of more than 30 conservation, tribal, and citizen organizations fiscally sponsored by ACF - is working to prevent the impacts that developing this coal will have on the Earth s climate, as well as on Alaska s lands, waters, and people. In fiscal year 2012, ACF awarded $1,740,100 in grants. Protecting the Tongass Rainforest More than half of the Tongass National Forest - the world s largest remaining old-growth coastal temperate rainforest - has been compromised from decades of clearcutting. ACF provides leadership and financial support to the Tongass Fish People Place Campaign- -a diverse alliance working to protect critical watersheds; promote forest management policies that engage local communities in forest planning; and support sustainable economic activities that depend on living resources. In fiscal year 2012, ACF awarded $618,000 in grants.
Through the Bristol Bay Campaign, ACF provided support for the Bristol Bay River Guide Academy, which provides jobs for Native youth consistant with their desire to protect salmon, the life blood of the region. Supporting Alaska Native Communities Alaska Natives maintain their rich culture and traditions in close connection with the land, and because of this, they are among the first to feel the negative impacts of changes in the environment. Through the Alaska Native Fund, ACF supports Alaska Native individuals and organizations working to address critical conservation issues affecting their cultures, communities, and economic opportunities. In fiscal year 2012, ACF awarded $99,593 in grants. Building Community Capacity ACF s Community Capacity initiative is an effort to strengthen Alaska s conservation organizations and leaders to achieve greater conservation impact. ACF facilitates and fiscally supports critical capacity building efforts such as the first environmental nonprofit merger in Alaska, the creation of a statewide conservation strategy, and support for enhanced communications and more data-driven organizing strategies. In fiscal year 2012, ACF awarded $116,600 in grants. Inspiring the Next Generation Preserving Alaska s future as a natural treasure rests on developing the next generation of leaders. ACF s highly-competitive Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program offers students, from Alaska and around the country interested in conservation, valuable work experience at partner organizations throughout the state. In fiscal year 2012, ACF awarded $43,280 in grants. 8
ACF awarded more than $3.1 million to support conservation efforts statewide to these trusted partners. Grants Fiscal Year 2012 Alaska Bird Observatory Alaska Center for the Environment Alaska Community Action on Toxics Alaska Conservation Alliance Alaska Interfaith Power and Light Alaska Marine Conservation Council Alaska Native Harbour Seal Commission Alaska Public Interest Research Group Alaska Wilderness League Alaska Youth for Environmental Action Audubon Alaska Bering Sea Fishermen s Association Bird Treatment and Learning Center Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Center for Science in Public Participation Chickaloon Village Traditional Council Chuitna Citizens Coalition Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay Cook Inletkeeper Copper River Watershed Project Defenders of Wildlife Discovery Southeast Environmental Grantmakers Association Friends of Mat-Su Ground Truth Trekking Hydaburg Cooperative Association International Indian Treaty Council Inuit Circumpolar Council of Alaska Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope Juneau Community National Council of Churches National Wildlife Federation Native American Rights Fund Native Village of Elim Native Village of Tyonek Northern Alaska Environmental Center The Ocean Organized Village of Kasaan Pew Environmental Group Renewable Energy Alaska Project Renewable Resources Sierra Club Sitka Conservation Society Southeast Alaska Conservation Council Southeast Alaska Wilderness Exploration Analysis and Discovery Trout Unlimited, Alaska Project Trustees for Alaska The Wilderness Society Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association For more information about the impacts of ACF s grantmaking, please visit www.alaskaconservation.org. 10
Financial Statement Alaska Conservation Statement of Financial Position 30 June 2012 ACF is a charity you can count on! 2012 ACF Ratings Better Business Bureau - ACF met the 20 standards for charity accountability Charity Navigator - ACF received 4 stars Assets 2012 Cash and cash equivalents $2,388,216 Grants and public support receivables 760,000 Other receivables 12,162 Prepaid expenses and other assets 32,712 Investments at fair value 5,783,735 Investments not at fair value 91,218 Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 119,036 Office equipment 50,377 Total Assets $9,237,456 ACF is an EarthShare partner Combined Federal Campaign #12062 Liabilities and Net Assets Liabilities: Accounts payable $76,528 Accrued payroll and related liabilities 67,698 Grants and awards payable 132,000 Deferred revenue 66,550 Gift annuity liability 74,583 Total liabilities $417,360 Grants ACF Revenue Sources Investment Income 3% 24% Public Support ACF Expenses Fundraising Administration 8% 10% Grantmaking Net Assets: Unrestricted: Board designated for endowment $549,399 Undesignated 962,529 Total unrestricted $1,511,928 Grants 73% Public Support 23% Programs 59% Temporarily restricted $2,418,467 Permanently restricted 4,889,702 Total net assets $8,820,097 Total liabilities and net assets $9,237,456 11 12
Donors President s Circle ($100,000 and above) Anonymous (1) Gordon and Betty Moore Margaret A. Cargill Champion s Circle ($50,000-$99,999) Anonymous (1) 444S Argosy Brainerd Camp Denali and North Face Lodge The Harder Scherman, Inc. The Paul G. Allen Family True North Benefactor s Circle ($25,000-$49,999) Anonymous (1) Common Stream, Inc. Eaglemere George H. and Jane A. Mifflin Memorial Fund Grenold and Dorothy Collins Alaska Charitable Trust Beatrice Fox Auerbach Fund at the Hartford Kalliopeia Contributions to ACF fuel efforts to keep Alaska healthy for the long-term. Our work in fiscal year 2012 would not have been possible without support from individuals, businesses, and our foundation partners. Every gift makes a difference. Thank You! MAC Moore Family Oak The Endurance Fund John Tishman The Chorus Wiancko Charitable Winslow Director s Circle ($10,000-$24,999) Anonymous (3) Michael Ashworth Peter and Michalina Bickford Agnes Gund CGMK Fund at The Seattle Helen Clay Frick David and Janet Robertson WestWind Wilburforce William Wiener, Jr. Wolfensohn Family Guardian Circle ($5,000-$9,999) Anonymous (4) Joanna Barsh and David Garbasz Rhonda Bennon and Martin Brown David Davis AJ Grant The Gryphon Fund Matthew and Jessica Sheehan Memton Fund SB Wellington, Inc. Steward Circle ($2,500-$4,999) Robert Bundy Bear Gulch Franklin Philanthropic Michael and Mary Ann Hasenstab Scott Hed Alan Ritchie Michael and Lenore Roberts Nate and Catherine Peimann Dan Purnell Philippa Strahm The Leighty Ruth Wood and John Strasenburgh Advocate Circle ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous (10) Ranjit and Ariane Arpels-Josiah Aspen Business Center Ed Bailey and Nina Faust Duane Beckmann Allan and Marilyn Brown Marta Chase and Kicab Castaneda-Mendez Michael and Catherine Coscia April Crosby and Merritt Helfferich Clifton Eames Cornelia Erpf-Forsman and Paul Forsman Peter and Carol Gluck David and Susan Hardenbergh Robert and Phyllis Henigson Gretchen Hull Robert Keith, Jr. and Margot Keith Carl Kohls Marcia Lamb Marta Jo Lawrence James Liszka Nancy Lord and Kenneth Castner Dianne and John Mahaffey Roslyn Mandel Gail and Larry Mayo Greg McCarthy and Wendy Chase Phyllis Mize Richard and Barbara Moore Stephen Morrell Mary Sue and William Morrill Sarah Morton Diane and John Moxness Eric Myers Susan and Sheldon Nash Helen and Gayle Nienhueser Susan Olsen Edwin Ordway, Jr. and Christine Ordway Kathryn Riddell Christopher du Pont Roosevelt and Rosalind Roosevelt Andrew Rosenthal Molly and Peter Ross Leonard Steinberg Jan and Susan Suwinski The Charles and Charlotte Bird Fund at The San Diego Thomas Hall and Elizabeth McLoughlin Margaret and Jules Tileston Peter and Ilona Van Tuyn Wild Woods William and Jan Rutherford William H. Hazen Great Land Monthly Giving Club Kris Abshire Sarah Bierschwale Jane Blackwell Stephen and Carmen Blakely Nathan Borson Gerald Brookman Joyce Bryan Roland Bryan Marsha Buck Margaret Cartwright Stephen Charles Marta Chase and Kicab Castaneda-Mendez Lisa Climo David Cline Dorothy Crum George Donart Martha Engbarth Gilbert English Michael Fischer Michael and Diane Fisher Jennifer Foote Scott and Nadine Goetz Martha Hanns Scott Hed Robert Herdliska Phyllis Hyde David Johnston Brendan and Karen Kelly Maureen Knutsen R. L. Latterell Jack and Mary Lentfer Brandon Lloyd Maynard Lobell Drew McCalley and Marilyn Green Michael and Roxy McDonagh George and Laurel McLaughlin Richard Monkman and Tina Kobayashi Mary Nefedov Nate and Catherine Peimann Athena Peryk James and Susan Pfeiffenberger Margie Pulliam Dan Purnell Ann Rappoport and David Irons Dan Rase Stella Sargent 13 14 Sue Schuble Carl and Martha Siebe Richard and Helen Stenmark James Stratton and Colleen Burgh Jean Tam John Tangney Margaret and Jules Tileston Steven Ungar Richard Waldmann Robin Weber Anne Wilkas Scott Zehner Workplace & Business Partners Alaska Community Share Alaska Discovery Alaska Wildland Adventures Arctic Treks Aveda Camp Denali and North Face Lodge Clutch Media Dynomighty Design EarthShare Elements Salon & Day Spa Escape Salon Halo Salon Meg Allen Salon & Spa Mountain Travel Sobek PIP Printing Recycled Fish Sockeye Cycle Co. Sweetwater Travel Company The Orvis Company, Inc. Wilderness Birding Adventures To learn more about the different ways you can invest in ACF, visit www.alaskaconservation.org or call us at 907.276.1917.
Alaska Conservation 911 West 8th Avenue, Suite 300 Anchorage, AK 99501-2340 www.alaskaconservation.org / Facebook Photo Credits: Cover - Ground Truth Trekking, pages 1-3 Roy Corral, 5 - Mark Kelley, 7 - Michael Melford, 8 - John Van Fleet, 9 - Roy Corral, 10 - Michael Melford, 11 - Greg Syverson, 13-14 Roy Corral, Back Cover - Magnus Eelander